Thomas Keller Update: Bouchon Beverly Hills Opening in 2 1/2 Weeks, Reservation Line Open Today

Thomas Keller

If you're the sort of person who's beaten a path to Yountville the last few years, to visit Thomas Keller's troika of restaurants, The French Laundry, Bouchon and Ad Hoc, you can start saving on gas money soon. Keller's Los Angeles incarnation of Bouchon finally opens its doors on November 18th. And as of today, you can start making reservations.

Bouchon will open in the Beverly Hills Gardens building on 235 North Cañon Drive -- in other words, just head for Spago and keep going up the block. Bouchon -- like the original restaurant, named for a particular style of café that existed in the province of Lyon for centuries -- will serve bistro classics and seasonal dishes. Sadly, there will not be a Bouchon Bakery in addition to the bistro. I guess you'll just have to drive up 1-5 for that.

Bouchon's roast chicken

The menu will follow the same general format as the Bouchon in Yountville, with minor regional variations. Keller's roast chicken (above), a standard at the Yountville Bouchon, will be on the menu at the Beverly Hills restaurant. There will also be an extensive raw bar, and a large wine and artisanal beer selection. Rory Herrmann is the chef de cuisine; Scott Wheatfill is the pastry chef. Herrmann was previously the private dining chef at Per Se in New York.

Keller worked with designer Adam Tihany on the space, which features a pewter bar, mosaic floors and a hand-painted mural by French artist Paulin Paris. The restaurant will also include indoor and outdoor terrace seating.

Bouchon Bistro: 235 North Cañon Drive, Beverly Hills; the reservations line is (310) 271-9910. The website is still under construction.